Hirshhorn Museum Acquires New Sculpture

One side of the triangular structure echoes the museum’s curve and is juxtaposed to another side consisting of a wooden lattice. The latter architectural element was inspired by Japanese screens and the grid-patterned work of artist Sol LeWitt, who is also represented in the museum’s collection.

Graham has been creating architectural pieces, which he calls pavilions, since the late 1970s. Evolving from his work in performance and video art, these works utilize two-way mirrors that blur the line between subject and object, with visitors “activating” the piece by standing inside or outside of it.

The sculpture’s reflective and transparent surfaces ultimately result in a heightened state of self-awareness.

Graham has long been recognized as one of the key figures in the evolution of conceptual art. This project affirms the Hirshhorn’s commitment to working with living artists and incorporating contemporary pieces into its noted sculpture garden. “For Gordon Bunshaft” is the first work by the artist to enter the collection. -- www.hirshhorn.si.edu